RE: Re: UAE-NEED HELP! some answers...

[Guest guest]

, Thanks for responding. You did answer my questions. The biggest

concern I have is the pain control & follow-up. I have SEVERAL fibroids, the

largest of which 7x 5cm on the anterior part of the uterus. In other words, I

have to PEE often! The other large fibroid is the the back of the uterus, and

because my uterus is retroverted it places a good deal of pressure on my bowel.

Anecdotaly I have heard that women w/larger fibroids have more pain post UAE,

but don't know if this is true or not. Hopefully the IR who will do my

procedure can refer me to a supportive ob/gyn, as the one I'd been going to was

of no help at all. Of course, after reading some of the posts about post UAE

problems, I hope I can tell the difference between normal bleeding and pain post

UAE and when to go to the ER. (Hopefully it won't come to that!) I am reminding

myself that I HAVE TO do something about these fibroids-the time has come! I

refuse to have pressure, pain and discomfort as the " norm " any longer. Thanks

for sharing your experience. I have an MRA scheduled for 2/6 and after that

will meet w/the IR to discuss whether he believes I would be a suitable

candidate. Hope he will say I am-then I will go forward. Take Care, Best Of

luck to you! -Elise.

artist871 wrote: Hi, Elise,

I've just had my UAE procedure, and can also compare it to a

hysteroscopic resection of fibroids which I went through in 1995/6.

My ob/gyn, also a woman, was very discouraging, as was every single

other medical person I spoke to -- except the IRs who actually do the

procedure, who were open, forthcoming with information and advice, and

very practical (no scare tactics, which is more than I can say for the

others...). The only types of fibroids they really don't seem to want

to work on are those on stalks (pedunculated), as they are often best

managed with laparascopic or hysteroscopic procedures.

To answer your questions:

a. The particles could, theoretically, end up engaging with ovarian

arteries -- if your particular fibroids are drawing heavily on ovarian

blood supply, but the IRs are extremely careful not to let them end

up elsewhere. The definition of " technical success " is that the

particles went where they were supposed to and blocked those uterine

arteries feeding the fibroids. The real person's definition of success

is only evident several months later, when the heavy bleeding,

distended uterus, or other symptoms have diminished.

b. You'll be checked by your ob/gyn about 10 days after the procedure;

I also stayed overnight, and the nurses hover every 20 mins initially,

then every 40 mins or so, then every hour, then every three hours or

so. There'll be another ultrasound or MRI in perhaps 3 months, to

compare before and after sizes of the fibroids.

c. I too was scared witless before the procedure, and found the pre-op

nurses very kind and gentle. If you know anything about Lamaze

breathing, I found it very helpful when they were inserting the Foley

catheter into the bladder (wierd feeling but not horribly painful).

I was quite awake and aware during the procedure. A nurse stayed by my

head most of the time, and administered additional doses of

pain-killer and valium as seemed needed. I definitely knew when they

injected the particles in the right side arteries, as that was where

my largest (orange sized) fibroid resided, and it felt like a big

period cramp quite suddenly. The pain was very manageable with the

morphine drip they had me on overnight. Nausea feeling came and went,

without me actually being sick; they used injections and then tablets

to control it, and I felt like eating most of my rice cereal the

following morning.

Sorry this is so long! Feel free to contact me if you want to chat

more about UAE.

> Group: I NEED HELP AND ADVICE! Is there anyone who would NOT be a

good candidate for UAE? Also, after the embospheres or PVA particles

are introduced into the uterine artery, when do you know when the

procedure has been successful? (ie that the particles are in the

uterine arteries & not elsewhere) I am scared because my regular md is

more familiar with UAE than my ob/gyn! She is not informed, and I

don't know if or what follow up care I will have. I just have to pray

to God that nothing goes wrong. I don't expect it to; just need to

know if/when to know if something is wrong. Hopefully I will be in

the hospital over night so I should be alright. Please let me know.

-Elise.

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

, Thanks for responding. You did answer my questions. The biggest

concern I have is the pain control & follow-up. I have SEVERAL fibroids, the

largest of which 7x 5cm on the anterior part of the uterus. In other words, I

have to PEE often! The other large fibroid is the the back of the uterus, and

because my uterus is retroverted it places a good deal of pressure on my bowel.

Anecdotaly I have heard that women w/larger fibroids have more pain post UAE,

but don't know if this is true or not. Hopefully the IR who will do my

procedure can refer me to a supportive ob/gyn, as the one I'd been going to was

of no help at all. Of course, after reading some of the posts about post UAE

problems, I hope I can tell the difference between normal bleeding and pain post

UAE and when to go to the ER. (Hopefully it won't come to that!) I am reminding

myself that I HAVE TO do something about these fibroids-the time has come! I

refuse to have pressure, pain and discomfort as the " norm " any longer. Thanks

for sharing your experience. I have an MRA scheduled for 2/6 and after that

will meet w/the IR to discuss whether he believes I would be a suitable

candidate. Hope he will say I am-then I will go forward. Take Care, Best Of

luck to you! -Elise.

artist871 wrote: Hi, Elise,

I've just had my UAE procedure, and can also compare it to a

hysteroscopic resection of fibroids which I went through in 1995/6.

My ob/gyn, also a woman, was very discouraging, as was every single

other medical person I spoke to -- except the IRs who actually do the

procedure, who were open, forthcoming with information and advice, and

very practical (no scare tactics, which is more than I can say for the

others...). The only types of fibroids they really don't seem to want

to work on are those on stalks (pedunculated), as they are often best

managed with laparascopic or hysteroscopic procedures.

To answer your questions:

a. The particles could, theoretically, end up engaging with ovarian

arteries -- if your particular fibroids are drawing heavily on ovarian

blood supply, but the IRs are extremely careful not to let them end

up elsewhere. The definition of " technical success " is that the

particles went where they were supposed to and blocked those uterine

arteries feeding the fibroids. The real person's definition of success

is only evident several months later, when the heavy bleeding,

distended uterus, or other symptoms have diminished.

b. You'll be checked by your ob/gyn about 10 days after the procedure;

I also stayed overnight, and the nurses hover every 20 mins initially,

then every 40 mins or so, then every hour, then every three hours or

so. There'll be another ultrasound or MRI in perhaps 3 months, to

compare before and after sizes of the fibroids.

c. I too was scared witless before the procedure, and found the pre-op

nurses very kind and gentle. If you know anything about Lamaze

breathing, I found it very helpful when they were inserting the Foley

catheter into the bladder (wierd feeling but not horribly painful).

I was quite awake and aware during the procedure. A nurse stayed by my

head most of the time, and administered additional doses of

pain-killer and valium as seemed needed. I definitely knew when they

injected the particles in the right side arteries, as that was where

my largest (orange sized) fibroid resided, and it felt like a big

period cramp quite suddenly. The pain was very manageable with the

morphine drip they had me on overnight. Nausea feeling came and went,

without me actually being sick; they used injections and then tablets

to control it, and I felt like eating most of my rice cereal the

following morning.

Sorry this is so long! Feel free to contact me if you want to chat

more about UAE.

> Group: I NEED HELP AND ADVICE! Is there anyone who would NOT be a

good candidate for UAE? Also, after the embospheres or PVA particles

are introduced into the uterine artery, when do you know when the

procedure has been successful? (ie that the particles are in the

uterine arteries & not elsewhere) I am scared because my regular md is

more familiar with UAE than my ob/gyn! She is not informed, and I

don't know if or what follow up care I will have. I just have to pray

to God that nothing goes wrong. I don't expect it to; just need to

know if/when to know if something is wrong. Hopefully I will be in

the hospital over night so I should be alright. Please let me know.

-Elise.

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

, Thanks for responding. You did answer my questions. The biggest

concern I have is the pain control & follow-up. I have SEVERAL fibroids, the

largest of which 7x 5cm on the anterior part of the uterus. In other words, I

have to PEE often! The other large fibroid is the the back of the uterus, and

because my uterus is retroverted it places a good deal of pressure on my bowel.

Anecdotaly I have heard that women w/larger fibroids have more pain post UAE,

but don't know if this is true or not. Hopefully the IR who will do my

procedure can refer me to a supportive ob/gyn, as the one I'd been going to was

of no help at all. Of course, after reading some of the posts about post UAE

problems, I hope I can tell the difference between normal bleeding and pain post

UAE and when to go to the ER. (Hopefully it won't come to that!) I am reminding

myself that I HAVE TO do something about these fibroids-the time has come! I

refuse to have pressure, pain and discomfort as the " norm " any longer. Thanks

for sharing your experience. I have an MRA scheduled for 2/6 and after that

will meet w/the IR to discuss whether he believes I would be a suitable

candidate. Hope he will say I am-then I will go forward. Take Care, Best Of

luck to you! -Elise.

artist871 wrote: Hi, Elise,

I've just had my UAE procedure, and can also compare it to a

hysteroscopic resection of fibroids which I went through in 1995/6.

My ob/gyn, also a woman, was very discouraging, as was every single

other medical person I spoke to -- except the IRs who actually do the

procedure, who were open, forthcoming with information and advice, and

very practical (no scare tactics, which is more than I can say for the

others...). The only types of fibroids they really don't seem to want

to work on are those on stalks (pedunculated), as they are often best

managed with laparascopic or hysteroscopic procedures.

To answer your questions:

a. The particles could, theoretically, end up engaging with ovarian

arteries -- if your particular fibroids are drawing heavily on ovarian

blood supply, but the IRs are extremely careful not to let them end

up elsewhere. The definition of " technical success " is that the

particles went where they were supposed to and blocked those uterine

arteries feeding the fibroids. The real person's definition of success

is only evident several months later, when the heavy bleeding,

distended uterus, or other symptoms have diminished.

b. You'll be checked by your ob/gyn about 10 days after the procedure;

I also stayed overnight, and the nurses hover every 20 mins initially,

then every 40 mins or so, then every hour, then every three hours or

so. There'll be another ultrasound or MRI in perhaps 3 months, to

compare before and after sizes of the fibroids.

c. I too was scared witless before the procedure, and found the pre-op

nurses very kind and gentle. If you know anything about Lamaze

breathing, I found it very helpful when they were inserting the Foley

catheter into the bladder (wierd feeling but not horribly painful).

I was quite awake and aware during the procedure. A nurse stayed by my

head most of the time, and administered additional doses of

pain-killer and valium as seemed needed. I definitely knew when they

injected the particles in the right side arteries, as that was where

my largest (orange sized) fibroid resided, and it felt like a big

period cramp quite suddenly. The pain was very manageable with the

morphine drip they had me on overnight. Nausea feeling came and went,

without me actually being sick; they used injections and then tablets

to control it, and I felt like eating most of my rice cereal the

following morning.

Sorry this is so long! Feel free to contact me if you want to chat

more about UAE.

> Group: I NEED HELP AND ADVICE! Is there anyone who would NOT be a

good candidate for UAE? Also, after the embospheres or PVA particles

are introduced into the uterine artery, when do you know when the

procedure has been successful? (ie that the particles are in the

uterine arteries & not elsewhere) I am scared because my regular md is

more familiar with UAE than my ob/gyn! She is not informed, and I

don't know if or what follow up care I will have. I just have to pray

to God that nothing goes wrong. I don't expect it to; just need to

know if/when to know if something is wrong. Hopefully I will be in

the hospital over night so I should be alright. Please let me know.

-Elise.

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Elise, I sure hope you have success with the UAE. I am too looking to find

a doctor or IR that will do it here in the Ohio area. I have suffered for

such a long time with this pain and this new doctor doesn't think I should

be in pain. I tell you what do they know. I actually feel pretty good

today, I just finished my 2 period since my lap/myo in Dec. and am hoping

that maybe what she did will help and I won't have to do anything for a

while. Time will tell. I wish you well. Libby

Re: Re: UAE-NEED HELP! some answers...

, Thanks for responding. You did answer my questions. The biggest

concern I have is the pain control & follow-up. I have SEVERAL fibroids,

the largest of which 7x 5cm on the anterior part of the uterus. In other

words, I have to PEE often! The other large fibroid is the the back of the

uterus, and because my uterus is retroverted it places a good deal of

pressure on my bowel. Anecdotaly I have heard that women w/larger fibroids

have more pain post UAE, but don't know if this is true or not. Hopefully

the IR who will do my procedure can refer me to a supportive ob/gyn, as the

one I'd been going to was of no help at all. Of course, after reading some

of the posts about post UAE problems, I hope I can tell the difference

between normal bleeding and pain post UAE and when to go to the ER.

(Hopefully it won't come to that!) I am reminding myself that I HAVE TO do

something about these fibroids-the time has come! I refuse to have

pressure, pain and discomfort as the " norm " any longer. Thanks for sharing

your experience. I have an MRA scheduled for 2/6 and after that will meet

w/the IR to discuss whether he believes I would be a suitable candidate.

Hope he will say I am-then I will go forward. Take Care, Best Of luck to

you! -Elise.

artist871 wrote: Hi, Elise,

I've just had my UAE procedure, and can also compare it to a

hysteroscopic resection of fibroids which I went through in 1995/6.

My ob/gyn, also a woman, was very discouraging, as was every single

other medical person I spoke to -- except the IRs who actually do the

procedure, who were open, forthcoming with information and advice, and

very practical (no scare tactics, which is more than I can say for the

others...). The only types of fibroids they really don't seem to want

to work on are those on stalks (pedunculated), as they are often best

managed with laparascopic or hysteroscopic procedures.

To answer your questions:

a. The particles could, theoretically, end up engaging with ovarian

arteries -- if your particular fibroids are drawing heavily on ovarian

blood supply, but the IRs are extremely careful not to let them end

up elsewhere. The definition of " technical success " is that the

particles went where they were supposed to and blocked those uterine

arteries feeding the fibroids. The real person's definition of success

is only evident several months later, when the heavy bleeding,

distended uterus, or other symptoms have diminished.

b. You'll be checked by your ob/gyn about 10 days after the procedure;

I also stayed overnight, and the nurses hover every 20 mins initially,

then every 40 mins or so, then every hour, then every three hours or

so. There'll be another ultrasound or MRI in perhaps 3 months, to

compare before and after sizes of the fibroids.

c. I too was scared witless before the procedure, and found the pre-op

nurses very kind and gentle. If you know anything about Lamaze

breathing, I found it very helpful when they were inserting the Foley

catheter into the bladder (wierd feeling but not horribly painful).

I was quite awake and aware during the procedure. A nurse stayed by my

head most of the time, and administered additional doses of

pain-killer and valium as seemed needed. I definitely knew when they

injected the particles in the right side arteries, as that was where

my largest (orange sized) fibroid resided, and it felt like a big

period cramp quite suddenly. The pain was very manageable with the

morphine drip they had me on overnight. Nausea feeling came and went,

without me actually being sick; they used injections and then tablets

to control it, and I felt like eating most of my rice cereal the

following morning.

Sorry this is so long! Feel free to contact me if you want to chat

more about UAE.

> Group: I NEED HELP AND ADVICE! Is there anyone who would NOT be a

good candidate for UAE? Also, after the embospheres or PVA particles

are introduced into the uterine artery, when do you know when the

procedure has been successful? (ie that the particles are in the

uterine arteries & not elsewhere) I am scared because my regular md is

more familiar with UAE than my ob/gyn! She is not informed, and I

don't know if or what follow up care I will have. I just have to pray

to God that nothing goes wrong. I don't expect it to; just need to

know if/when to know if something is wrong. Hopefully I will be in

the hospital over night so I should be alright. Please let me know.

-Elise.

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Libby, Thanks for the wishes. Tomorrow I go for my pre-consult MRI (Or MRA)

then on 2/13 I will meet w/the IR. I have been " doctoring " too much

lately-this morning I had my eyes checked & they put drops in my eyes to dilate

the pupils so I can barely see straight! It takes up to 5 hrs to wear off! FUN

FUN FUN! -Elise.

LIBBY STEPHENSON wrote: Elise, I sure hope

you have success with the UAE. I am too looking to find

a doctor or IR that will do it here in the Ohio area. I have suffered for

such a long time with this pain and this new doctor doesn't think I should

be in pain. I tell you what do they know. I actually feel pretty good

today, I just finished my 2 period since my lap/myo in Dec. and am hoping

that maybe what she did will help and I won't have to do anything for a

while. Time will tell. I wish you well. Libby

[Guest guest]

Libby, Thanks for the wishes. Tomorrow I go for my pre-consult MRI (Or MRA)

then on 2/13 I will meet w/the IR. I have been " doctoring " too much

lately-this morning I had my eyes checked & they put drops in my eyes to dilate

the pupils so I can barely see straight! It takes up to 5 hrs to wear off! FUN

FUN FUN! -Elise.

LIBBY STEPHENSON wrote: Elise, I sure hope

you have success with the UAE. I am too looking to find

a doctor or IR that will do it here in the Ohio area. I have suffered for

such a long time with this pain and this new doctor doesn't think I should

be in pain. I tell you what do they know. I actually feel pretty good

today, I just finished my 2 period since my lap/myo in Dec. and am hoping

that maybe what she did will help and I won't have to do anything for a

while. Time will tell. I wish you well. Libby

[Guest guest]

Elise, I wish you luck tomorrow and I am sure it will all work out for you.

I had my eyes done back a few months ago and had them dilated also. It was

my first time and was very strange so I can relate. Good luck and don't

try to read to much. Let me know how it goes tomorrow.

Talk to you later, Libby

RE: Re: UAE-NEED HELP! some answers...

Libby, Thanks for the wishes. Tomorrow I go for my pre-consult MRI (Or

MRA) then on 2/13 I will meet w/the IR. I have been " doctoring " too much

lately-this morning I had my eyes checked & they put drops in my eyes to

dilate the pupils so I can barely see straight! It takes up to 5 hrs to

wear off! FUN FUN FUN! -Elise.

LIBBY STEPHENSON wrote: Elise, I sure

hope you have success with the UAE. I am too looking to find

a doctor or IR that will do it here in the Ohio area. I have suffered for

such a long time with this pain and this new doctor doesn't think I should

be in pain. I tell you what do they know. I actually feel pretty good

today, I just finished my 2 period since my lap/myo in Dec. and am hoping

that maybe what she did will help and I won't have to do anything for a

while. Time will tell. I wish you well. Libby

[Guest guest]

Elise, I wish you luck tomorrow and I am sure it will all work out for you.

I had my eyes done back a few months ago and had them dilated also. It was

my first time and was very strange so I can relate. Good luck and don't

try to read to much. Let me know how it goes tomorrow.

Talk to you later, Libby

RE: Re: UAE-NEED HELP! some answers...

Libby, Thanks for the wishes. Tomorrow I go for my pre-consult MRI (Or

MRA) then on 2/13 I will meet w/the IR. I have been " doctoring " too much

lately-this morning I had my eyes checked & they put drops in my eyes to

dilate the pupils so I can barely see straight! It takes up to 5 hrs to

wear off! FUN FUN FUN! -Elise.

LIBBY STEPHENSON wrote: Elise, I sure

hope you have success with the UAE. I am too looking to find

a doctor or IR that will do it here in the Ohio area. I have suffered for

such a long time with this pain and this new doctor doesn't think I should

be in pain. I tell you what do they know. I actually feel pretty good

today, I just finished my 2 period since my lap/myo in Dec. and am hoping

that maybe what she did will help and I won't have to do anything for a

while. Time will tell. I wish you well. Libby